Frogmore Creek riesling receives global recognition being named one of the world’s best drops

A uniquely-made Coal River Valley riesling has been crowned one of the world’s best drops, taking home three prestigious awards at an international wine competition on Friday.

Frogmore Creek winemakers John Bown, Alain Rousseau, and Brad Morgan. Picture: Supplied

A uniquely-made Coal River Valley riesling has been crowned one of the world’s best drops, taking home three prestigious awards at an international wine competition on Friday.

Competing against 330 rieslings from 140 wineries across five countries, the Frogmore Creek 2023 Iced Riesling was named the Best Wine of the 2024 Canberra International riesling Challenge, as well as the Best Sweet riesling and the Best Australian riesling.

Frogmore Creek winemaker Alain Rousseau said the win was a “good achievement” and a testament to the quality of the 100 per cent hand-picked riesling grapes.

“You can only be happy with an award like that,” he said.

“There’s a lot of other quality wines elected, so to be named as a top wine is always a great pleasure. And I think quite nice.

“We’ve got something which is very unique, because I think we are the only one in Australia making this sort of product.”

The Frogmore Creek 2023 Iced riesling was named the Best Wine of the 2024 Canberra International riesling Challenge, as well as the Best Sweet riesling and the Best Australian riesling. Picture: Supplied

Mr Rousseau said the winning wine’s style of riesling is a type of dessert wine produced from grapes that have been frozen, allowing for a more concentrated grape juice to develop.

“In Germany or in Canada, they call it ice without the ‘d’ at the end, because there they can allow the fruit to be frozen onto the vines. Here in Australia, it’s literally impossible,” he said.

“Being a warm country, you’ve got to freeze the juice. You have got no other options. So we have been putting at the end of ice because we are doing the icing ourselves.”

Mr Rousseau said the wine was the perfect way to end a warm summer’s day.

“This is a perfect dessert for summertime,” he said.

“Just take a beautiful vanilla ice cream, and you just drink your iced wine with it.

“That’s what I do with my wife, we really like it.”

Originally published as Frogmore Creek riesling receives global recognition being named one of the world’s best drops